The Depths · All albums

Hot Rats

Frank Zappa · 1969

• Scores: Noise 1, Unease 1, Complexity 3 (each 1 to 5)
• Genre: Rock, Jazz, Jazz Rock, Instrumental Rock
• Mood: fluid, jazzy, playful
• Sound: mostly instrumental, extended guitar solos, jazz fusion, violin, odd time signatures, multitracked studio work

Frank Zappa made this largely instrumental, jazz-influenced album in July and August 1969 at studios in Los Angeles and Glendale on a homemade 16-track recorder. Four tracks were given to the drum kit alone, and heavy overdubbing let a handful of players sound like a large group. Ian Underwood plays keyboards and woodwinds, Jean-Luc Ponty and Don Sugarcane Harris add electric violin, and Captain Beefheart sings on Willie the Pimp. Zappa's sleeve notes called it a movie for your ears.

Track list

1. Peaches en Regalia (3:38)
2. Willie the Pimp (9:21)
3. Son of Mr. Green Genes (8:58)
4. Little Umbrellas (3:06)
5. The Gumbo Variations (12:53)
6. It Must Be a Camel (5:15)